Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Willa and Woof #6: Double the Drama – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia October 2023 ISBN: 9781761048937 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $12.99 I am pretty sure everyone is aware already that Jacqueline is one of my favourite authors, as well as a favourite friend/wonderful human. She is also pretty prolific with her creativity – witness that just in the last two months I’ve reviewed the latest Alice-Miranda MG novel…

  • Parcel for Turtle – Shelley Knoll-Miller

    Penguin Australia ISBN: 9781761046643 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 How absolutely delighted am I that the first ‘Parcel for…’ title I review, so closely reflects our happy place – the beach, and some of its very nicest inhabitants – indeed, practically our neighbours. Each book in this series is a clever, but simply written guessing game for Littles,…

  • The Littlest Penguin – Jedda Robaard. The Penguin Foundation

    and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Penguin Australia October 2023 ISBN: 9781761341830 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 Waddling along on a bit of a penguin theme, just look at this absolutely exquisite gem of a book! Follow Littlest Penguin as she is raised by her doting parents, leaves her burrow for the first time, makes friends, and embarks…

  • Love Emma Memma!

    While I really was only vaguely aware of Emma before her books came out (given we haven’t had any kiddos in the Wiggles zone for a decade), I am absolutely loving her books. These two new ones are very much squarely aimed at your younger audience, and so beautifully interactive that your Smalls will love…

  • Not Here to Make You Comfortable: 50 women who stand up, speak out, inspire change.

    Penguin Australia Septemer 2023 ISBN: 9781761340581 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $22.99 It’s time to stop saying yes all the time.It’s time to stop apologising all the time.It’s time to stop avoiding conflict all the time.It’s time to be true to our emotions, whatever they are. I’m starting this off with just this. Don’t delay. Order it now, put…

  • Alice-Miranda and the Christmas Mystery – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Random House October 2023 ISBN: 9781761048944 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 It has been a while since we’ve had the pleasure of a new Alice-Miranda story, understandably as Jacqueline has been busy with other projects (successfully so I might add!!), and we all know that the A-M fans, young and old (yes, Tiarna G, I am looking at…

  • The Daring Tale of Gloria the Great – Jacqueline Harvey. Illustrated by Kate Isobel Scott.

    Penguin Australia August 2023 ISBN: 9781761043284 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $19.99 I say it often, I miss my chookies (and there have been quite a few at numerous times over the years). Chooks have such personalities, and some of mine definitely did. Just such a hen is Gloria – indomitable, resilient and tenacious. She is her own chicken…

  • A Friend for George – Gabriel Evans

    Penguin Australia May 2023 ISBN: 9781761046506 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $24.99 Anyone who has taught or worked with children will probably agree that we can never have enough books about friendship, and in particular, how to be a good friend. Once I probably would have said this is most true of the younger grades but realistically, more and…

  • Being Jimmy Baxter – Fiona Lloyd

    Penguin Australia ISBN: 9781760148515 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 This is often a very funny book. This is often a very moving book. I ate it up in one sitting because Jimmy’s story is one that demands to be read. Jimmy is not so good with school stuff, and he has a kind of innocence in his thinking…

  • For the Tiny Humans

    Find Spot: an Australian Adventure Penguin Australia July 2023 ISBN: 9780241618127 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $14.99 Your littlest people will love this colourful new board book with a fresh Spot adventure, especially as it’s set in Australia. Mum, Dad and Spot are camping and as they explore billabong and surrounds, they encounter some lovely Australian wildlife like…